Pierre Charles L'Enfant

 A blog dedicated to the genius that is Pierre L'Enfant: Planner of The Federal City, Architect, Engineer, Artist, Major in the Continental Army. Expect exhaustive presentation of matters involving him, especially during the time his precious boots graced our land. There will be historical bits and bobs I find laying around, essays, pictures, and general soapboxing.  (dc plan photo @ncpc.gov)                                                                        

[major-pierre-lenfant]

June 14, 1825: Remembering Pierre Charles L’Enfant

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the passing of L’Enfant's. He died in relative obscurity and poverty at Green Hill, a friend’s estate in Maryland, leaving behind less than fifty dollars to his name and an ungrateful capital city that had rejected his prophetic, intelligent design.

For nearly a century, he rested in an unmarked grave, forgotten by the nation he had loved and served.

But true genius can not long be buried. Today, his vision is the bedrock of Washington, D.C., and his final resting place on a hill in Arlington National Cemetery literally overlooks the very city he breathed into existence.

He gave the new Republic its visual identity, and imbedded his designs with American patriotism and a profound sense of divine blessing. Wealth may have eluded him in life, but history ultimately gave him his due.

Rest in peace, Major L'Enfant. Your legacy remains unshakeable.

[major-pierre-lenfant]

Legend.

[major-pierre-lenfant]

George needed to dance.

[major-pierre-lenfant]

Freedom 250

Official website of Freedom 250

There are going to be 6 mobile museums touring America in celebration of America's 250th. Another article tells that "You're greeted by George Washington" upon entering the vehicle, where "It looks like a portrait and then using the power of AI, it comes to life. George Washington greets you and tells you his story as you walk in."

I'd for sure start blubbering.

Video

[major-pierre-lenfant]

I am so happy I was raised at a time cursive was required. I even won awards for my handwriting samples sent away in elementary school. I write by hand quit a lot even now, and find it cathartic in a way. I’d love to send a sample away again, but rather than a gold sticker I’d get to see Hancock’s signature; arguably one of the biggest (lol) nose-thumbing examples of political dissidence.

[culperscomet]

BIG fan of referring to historical figures by their first name like we’re actually long time friends

[major-pierre-lenfant]

Absolute truth right here.

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It's happening!

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In this short clip, Alan Walker - Biographer and Musicologist - discusses the difference between genius and talent as described by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.

"There's a famous simile that Schopenhauer gives us where he's drawing a distinction between talent and genius. He says a talent is like a marksman who can hit a target that others can't hit. A genius is like a marksman who can hit a target others can't even see. And (composer Franz) Liszt was always hitting targets his contemporaries couldn't see.

And that's why perhaps he was not recognized in his day with the same importance and value as he's recognized now. Because it takes time for us to absorb everything that Liszt did and then to stand back and see everything in perspective.

And Liszt stands out like a giant in his time."

Despite the horrible accusations and insults that have been leveled at L'Enfant, society did eventually come to realize - and proclaim - his genius. But it took a century. The cultural frame for their work was way too small; when it was increased, we could see the breadth and magnitude of what they created.

Though I have had to substantially reduce the scope of my upcoming capstone project on L'Enfant, I feel pride in knowing this lone girl is out there repairing his reputation and exposing his genius to hundreds who know nothing about him. If I get chosen for publication, I will feel a supreme sense of accomplishment going from my little tumblr blog to mainstream academia.

Thanks to everyone of you who read my posts and include me in the awesome revwar community. :)

[major-pierre-lenfant]

Awesome!

[pray4theangels]

That feeling when youre soooooo amrev-pilled

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My take on Ken Burns American Revolution series so far.

Pros:

-Paul Giamatti ("John Adams" in HBO's John Adams mini series) is the voice over for ...John Adams when his letters, etc. are read. A real comfort to hear.

-Laura Linney ("Abigail Adams" in HBO's John Adams mini series) does voice over, but not as Abigail. Beautiful voice, and impeccable interpretation and delivery of letters.

-illustrations, paintings, drawings, graphics. Seeing battles and skirmishes as blue or red lines and arrows converging or diverging helped my ND brain see rather than hear what happened.

-Highlighting many on the periphery of the revolution, several of whom I didn't know about.

-Historian Iris de Rode. As a commentator she brought passion and knowledge. I've watched a lot of her presentations (she's an authority on the French-American alliance, and who I learned about Major General Chastellux - Rochambeau's third in command - from.) It made a huge difference to me that she was included.

-Mention of Nathan Hale.

Cons:

-Each episode follows the same format, and it's kind of made it predictable and boring.

-Each episode is 2 hours long. I mean, I LOVE the topic but...see above comment.

-Very heavy on death, dying, disease, sickness, tragedy, r*pe, British atrocities, Native American atrocities. I know. It's WAR. But 2 hours is difficult to absorb. I may skip the remaining episodes.

-Nothing (so far) on the Culper Spy Ring.

-A mention of women disguising themselves as men to fight, but nothing directly mentioning Deborah Sampson.

[major-pierre-lenfant]

Gifts for history lovers: History Nerd shirts, sweatshirts, and caps from the Revolutionary War, Civil War and WWII era, Declaration of Inde

250th Anniversary. There's going to be so much AmRev fun this next year, and I'm here for all of it.

[iamthemaestro]

I think it's hilarious that everyone forgets that the headless horseman is supposed to be the ghost of a fallen hessian soldier. I recognize it's probably because for the most part people don't have a clear image of that in their minds but the story is honestly so much better for it. that guy had a mitre cap, the longest ponytail you've ever seen, and an absolutely bangin mustache when he was alive I guarantee it

[major-pierre-lenfant]

I had no idea this was a thing AT ALL. Irving actually said: “the ghost of a hessian trooper, whose head had been carried away by a cannon-ball…”

The revolution hasn't ended; it just went spectral, I guess.

Even L’enfant's ghost seems to wander about. Designed D.C., resigned rather than be subjugated, and now (according to d.c. legend) still wanders the capitol with his city plan clutched in his hand, though thankfully not his head.

America: "Let's build a nation and haunt ourselves."

Two groovy guys: "Kk."

[major-pierre-lenfant]

Hmm. Someone on X made a comment about the oddity of Washington choosing to send in, of all people, the Secretary of the Treasury. BUT...wasn't it Hamilton's idea to confront the miscreants? GWash obviously didn't take kindly to the threat either - saddling up and taking a whole dang army.

[major-pierre-lenfant]

8 Pumpkin Carving Stencils for a Revolutionary Halloween

Pumpkin-carving stencils. Check out the PDF for all of them!

[major-pierre-lenfant]

Happy Yorktown Appreciation Day!

Above is an AI image. I asked for Washington, Rochambeau, and deGrasse on horses, with General O'Hara giving his sword to Major General Lincoln. I would never, ever mean to forget the countless people that helped in winning the war, or the officers who supported Washington on the field. Rather, I wanted to focus on that last year or so when Rochambeau prevented Washington from losing his marbles in NY, gently encouraging him South, and deGrasse out there just being awesome and blockading the Chesapeake Bay.

[major-pierre-lenfant]

I don't remember hearing about the Young Washington movie before today. The trailer is promising, but I do feel that the question about the bullet holes in his jacket, answered blankly with "I don't know" would have been truer to charcter answered with "The grace of God" because he said of the incident "By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt." Faith doesn't sell, apparently, but resignation does.

The Sally (Cary) Fairfax, erm, situation will be in play as well, which seems always to be buried in biopics. It had clearly affected him so much that she, and the happiness she brought him, was still on his mind at the end of his life. So, including it is fitting.

I'll be celebrating L'Enfant's inclusion in the Garden of Heroes, and expect the celebration will take me to the theater as well: release date is Independence Day Weekend, 2026.

Edit: The line "My name is George Washington" was delivered brilliantly.